Bloomington, Illinois – NOVEMBER 21, 2017 – Everyone may know November 28 is “Giving Tuesday,” a day during which Americans set aside time to either donate to or work on behalf of a favorite charity. But anyone who knows Bloomington resident Barb Gallick knows that since becoming a member of a team of family and friends who raise money for Relay For Life of McLean County, that effort means spending many days planning, promoting, and/or hosting fundraisers which raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Gallick’s Relay Team, “Fishing For A Cure,” has been participating in Relay For Life of McLean County’s annual June event since 2009 as a result of supporting family members who contracted the disease. “But now, it’s grown to become a group of friends and family,” Gallick explained. A total of 15 people were on the team for 2017’s annual event, ranging in age from 9 to 61.

“We raise money all year round,” Gallick said. Team members have held fundraisers featuring Thirty-One-brand bags, Pampered Chef products, a women’s luncheon every spring, and even continues to sell a cookbook of recipes compiled from family and friends which is sold on a continuing basis. In addition, various team members who are into crafts like crocheting sell those handmade items to add to the total raised by the team.

When “Fishing For A Cure” turned in money for their first Relay event, the group raised “Just over $1,000,” Gallick said. That was strictly from collecting donations from family and friends. Since then, Gallick said, with the various fundraisers, the team sets for itself an annual goal of $5,000. In 2017, the team’s effort raised just over $10,000.

Since the team was founded for the 2009 Relay event to now, Gallick said, “Fishing For A Cure” has raised between $40,000-$45,000 for Relay For Life of McLean County.

This team’s membership has been tested at times by the disease, including losing a loved one, Gallick said. “When our team has grown, what dollars we’ve raised has grown.”

“I can’t imagine that ‘Giving Tuesday’ hasn’t been impactful,” Gallick said. “It’s the perfect time to make people aware when they’re spending money on gifts and trying to find deals. I think it’s important to always have an alternative view to say, ‘If I can give a little bit, it will make a difference to people dealing with cancer.’”

“The incredible members of Fishing For A Cure relay team care deeply about our mission to eliminate cancer. We hope their story will inspire others in our community to help raise funds that continue our research to fight this disease, and help the many programs the American Cancer Society continues to provide,” added Kimberly Wright, Community Manager for ACS’ Peoria Office. Relay For Life of McLean County is overseen by ACS’ Peoria office.

ABOUT “GIVING TUESDAY”: Entering its sixth year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources.

RELAY 2017 NUMBERS: Relay For Life of McLean County wrapped up it 23rd annual event raising $300,786.47 at the conclusion of the 2017 event and had 70 teams comprised of 657 participants, and 220 survivors and caregivers at their annual Relay event, held from 4p.m.June 23 to 4p.m. June 254, 2017, at Normal Community High School.

Since it began in McLean County in 1994, Relay For Life of McLean County has raised over $8.3 Million to fight cancer.

PLANNING FOR RELAY 2018: Planning for our 2018 campaign has begun. Getting involved with Relay For Life of McLean County would be the perfect way to cap off “Giving Tuesday.” You can find a link to our Relay by visiting www.relayforlife.org/mcleanil.

More information may be obtained by contacting either Catina Struble 309-706-5367 or Steve Robinson at 309-242-7838.

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